Playing the saxophone Starting lessons this Wednesday.

[Frederik]

I just wanted to share as this has been filling up my head for the last few weeks since signing up.

Starting lessons with a personal tutor this Wednesday.
I’m happy to say that I believe I have found an instructor who’s well educated and seems to be very professional.
Had a short chat with him over the phone today and he seems very welcoming.

Can’t help but feel a little bit nervous about it all, as it will be the first time in 20+ years that I take a music lesson.
Last time was group guitar lessons in 10th grade.

Very much looking forward to get, hopefully, a lot more structured approach to my learning journey.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Best of luck with the teacher. It's an exciting new (or rather continued)journey. Do let us know how it all goes.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Sounds good, enjoy.

 

[Frederik]

Best of luck with the teacher. It's an exciting new (or rather continued)journey. Do let us know how it all goes.

Thank you.

I will be sure to follow up sometime after the first lesson.

 

[Joe from New Orleans]

I just wanted to share as this has been filling up my head for the last few weeks since signing up.

Starting lessons with a personal tutor this Wednesday.
I’m happy to say that I believe I have found an instructor who’s well educated and seems to be very professional.
Had a short chat with him over the phone today and he seems very welcoming.

Can’t help but feel a little bit nervous about it all, as it will be the first time in 20+ years that I take a music lesson.
Last time was group guitar lessons in 10th grade.

Very much looking forward to get, hopefully, a lot more structured approach to my learning journey.

Good luck and try to stick with it!

 

[peedeeblues]

Best wishes! Long tones - don’t forget them.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Well done, @Frederik! - great decision!

While not everyone can find (or afford) a sax tutor within travelling distance, if you can then it's the very best way of learning to play sax. As you say, a tutor will provide you with 'a more structured approach your learning journey'. I would just add that ab a sax tutor can give you a more personalised approach to your learning journey'. In the sense that a sax tutor can watch and listen to how you play and give you personal tips for further improvement.

 

[DeSaxo]

The right thing to do: face-to-face if you can. That is the way I started though Covid drove us online, and we continued. I looked forward to it every week. Seven years in all until other things in my life stopped it. Best of luck, and enjoy!

 

[Frederik]

Best wishes! Long tones - don’t forget them.

Thank you.
I won’t.

Well done, @Frederik! - great decision!

While not everyone can find (or afford) a sax tutor within travelling distance, if you can then it's the very best way of learning to play sax. As you say, a tutor will provide you with 'a more structured approach your learning journey'. I would just add that ab a sax tutor can give you a more personalised approach to your learning journey'. In the sense that a sax tutor can watch and listen to how you play and give you personal tips for further improvement.

Thank you.

Good points.
I am lucky that economy and geography allows me to find a teacher, very close to my job too.
So we have arranged for lessons to be just after I leave work.
From a practical standpoint, things could not be more convenient for me.

The right thing to do: face-to-face if you can. That is the way I started though Covid drove us online, and we continued. I looked forward to it every week. Seven years in all until other things in my life stopped it. Best of luck, and enjoy!

My thoughts as well.
Sorry to hear that your life got in the way of a good thing for you.

Thank you.

 

[Frederik]

I promised an update after my first lesson, so here goes.

Everything went quite well.
I have to admit that I was more nervous than I had expected.
Soon to be 38 years old, former soldier and still I get butterflies before a taking a music lesson.

My instructor, Tomas, was very nice and seems to be a good teacher.
He spotted a few things to work on.
For one thing my right hand position wasn’t correct - seemingly the dimensions of my saxophone doesn’t fit my body very well, leading to a cramped right hand posture.

I also have a tendency to relax my embouchure too much, so I gradually go slightly flat while playing.

Already seems to be well worth the price of tuition it to start working out the kinks before they become bad habits.

Back to moth exercises and long notes for me. Already looking forward to my next lesson.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

 

[peedeeblues]

Sounds good - or flat in your case! That will correct itself with time and muscle development. What a great road you are travelling! Enjoy the ride. Now start thinking of a place to play in the future.

 

[MikeMorrell]

I promised an update after my first lesson, so here goes.

Everything went quite well.
I have to admit that I was more nervous than I had expected.
Soon to be 38 years old, former soldier and still I get butterflies before a taking a music lesson.

My instructor, Tomas, was very nice and seems to be a good teacher.
He spotted a few things to work on.
For one thing my right hand position wasn’t correct - seemingly the dimensions of my saxophone doesn’t fit my body very well, leading to a cramped right hand posture.

I also have a tendency to relax my embouchure too much, so I gradually go slightly flat while playing.

Already seems to be well worth the price of tuition it to start working out the kinks before they become bad habits.

Back to moth exercises and long notes for me. Already looking forward to my next lesson.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Great news, Frederic! These are good examples of 'personalised' tips from watching and listening to how you play. I'm sure more will follow as you progress. And as you say, working out any 'kinks' early on, really does help you developing' good habits' from the start. I'm glad the first lesson went so well!